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Why No V8 Tacoma?

14K views 76 replies 35 participants last post by  zippo44  
#1 · (Edited)
I've seen a few posts about this, but nobody really came out and asked the question...Why do they make a V8 4Runner (pretty much the same chasis and body size), but no V8 Tacoma. If you're plannin on sayin somethin like "if you want that much power get a bigger truck", then please don't...I just have an appreciation for small things that pack a big punch. This just doesn't make sense. I saw one guy had said that they were going to, but because of increasing gas prices they didn't want to risk bad sales. That doesn't make any sense either because then they would have stopped the V8 4Runner also. Screw fuel economy, I want torque and hp in a small, and easy to maneuver truck. I will say, however, that Toyota's 4.0 V6 has more torque and hp and get-up-and-go than any other V6 i've seen. I've also considered the supercharger. But does anybody know how bad it is on the transmission? Just wondering. Feel free to feedback or bash or whatever it is yall feel like doin.
 
#2 ·
I dont think the v8 4-runner sells that well. And that would cut into tundra sales, remember that the old tundra's werent that much bigger than the taco. Just my point of view on thngs. I have an 07 camry, they make all wheel drive camry's but dont sell them here becauce they dont want to cut into rav 4 sales. Thats why the matrix was no longer sold as all wheel drive towards the end.
 
#4 ·
+1 on the Diesel. That's what I would like to see much more than a V8.
To the OP: if you want that much power get a bigger truck! :clap:

(just kidding, could not resist)
 
#7 ·
6CYL turbo diesel would be better imho. A version of the 3.0L EDI turbo diesel that's in the Hilux but with a bigger turbo.:naughty:
 
#16 ·
I want that top gear hilux sooo bad
Image


I've posted that pic so many times in so many posts, hehe

edit: Andeyhall, if you want a powerful tacoma, just go to Australia cuz they have these babies^
With those huge fenders and those goofy lookin tires, that thing looks like it should be floatin on water somewhere...pretty ugly imo. I also like the idea of a diesel, but diesels that small sound just a little bit better than a tractor. It's pretty embarrassing pulling up next to a V8 with duals and my little ricy sounding V6 with duals, I couldn't imagine bein in that little diesel and pulling up next to a F250 Powerstroke.

Another thing I don't understand...maybe it's just the teenager in me, but my logic makes sense to me (go figure). If i'm selling Camrys and Rav4s (ugly little rascals those Rav4s are), and my Camrys are selling way better than my Rav4s, how does it make sense to not offer certain features on the Camrys to keep them from cutting into Rav4 sales? (or Tacoma's cutting into Tundra sales as one guy said earlier in the post). It seems to me like as long as I'm selling something I'd be happy. I can just imagine someone from Toyota sitting in a meeting saying "Well those Camrys with this option and this option will sell too well, so we're just not going to offer them, that way they'll just be forced to buy those ugly Rav4 things."

But I guess it's whatever Toyota feels like doing. I guess I'm pretty happy with my Tacoma and its 4.0, I just didn't really get their thinkin there. Preciate the feedback everybody, even though yall did kinda run that bench press thing in the ground. NEXT TRAIN TO CHINA!
 
#13 · (Edited)
I don't really care about the truck issue here... the important thing is that I can bench 78 1/4 lbs thanks to HGH:clap: Now my girlfriend on the other hand....
I knew that this wold be funny reading sooner or later .... :D


I'm not braggin on myself, but I'm 5'8'', 135lbs, but can bench 260 lbs...
Starting a sentence with "I'm not ..." does not necessarily mean that you don't. ;)

And I also want that Hilux!!!!
 
#21 ·
yep the Tacoma needs a V8.

The Dakota has a V8. The Colorado will get a 5.3L V8 within the next several of months
And both will get gas mileage that makes you want to :barf:.
Toyota stats on the V8 is 14 city/17 hwy. 260 hp 306lbs /ft torque
V6 is 18 city/21 hwy. 236 hp 275?lbs/ft torque (???)
Anyway the numbers are not that different especially considering the V8 would weigh more thus needing better susp in the front etc... All of that would get you an extra 1000lbs of towing power if compared to the 4runner, not enough to make me buy one. I agree with all above I would buy a new Tacoma if they came out with a 5cyl 3.0l turbo diesel (common rail).

PS I am 5'11 and the only thing I bench is the girlfriend:smokin:
 
#23 ·
I actually love my V-6. the few performance mods that I've done to it have made it a hell of a lot more powerful than it was. Whenever I see my dad out and about in his 07 Silverado he trys to race me and I'm always like:fuckyou: :spanking: and he's always :ahhhh:

JBA headers (got 'em before I found out about DT), Y-pipe, high flow muffler, URD TCAI, MAF cali.
 
#25 · (Edited)
Everyone has an opinion on this so I'll add mine, as I have done before. I believe there is a small but viable group of customers willing to pay extra to buy (and feed) a V8 Tacoma. It could be produced in limited numbers (might even be called a Limited?) and come with upgraded features, possibly including leather seating, power moonroof, power rear window... maybe even full-time AWD. Oh, and improved insulation for a quieter ride.

As mentioned, some of Tacoma's direct competition already has a V8. Now that Tundra has grown up, the argument of stealing sales from it is no longer valid. And as good as the 4.0 V6 is, it simply lacks the buttery-smoothness of a refined modern V8 such as Toyota's 4.7.

Certainly not for everyone, but I think there is a market for such a Tacoma.
 
#27 ·
I'd also like to have the rumbling sound of the v8 along with the power/torque of the v8 such that an aftermarket exhaust didn't sound v6'y when you stomp on the gas.

I would like that S/C though....whew!
 
#30 ·
#31 ·
I believe that Toyota has been putting the 4.7 v8 in the Tacoma since 2001, forget where i read that though, it was back when I bought my first taco in 01.
??? If any thing, not in an actual production "Tacoma". Maybe in a different continent which most are "Hilux" (also known as UGLY). If it were available, Im sure many people here would have it already.
 
#35 · (Edited)
well, I have a 2.7L 2006 access-cab and I can pull our 3500 lbs camping trailer safely.

I tow 3500lbs 10 times a year. do I need a v8 to do it ? I don't think so and putting twice as much fuel in a truck 90% of the time to be able to tow on the last 10% make no sense at all.

BUT after I had a vw TDI that went from an honest 90hp 180lb.ft to an axle twisting 190hp(4000rpm) 360lb.ft(1800rpm) by swapping for a bigger OEM VW turbo (+chip +injectors) and still going 50 miles per gallon on the highway, so I would ratter get a D4D than a V8.

and to me, low end torque AND MPG are a lot more important than 800hp @ 8500rpm

(side benefits : a diesel engine is A LOT easier-simple-cheaper to tweak for more torque and HP than most gasoline engine and will still give you OEM MPG or slightly better)
 
#36 ·
now that toyota is shifting american, there is no doubt that there will be a v8 somewhere a long the line. the beefed up the tundra, they will beef up the taco. i would prefer a turbo diesel. My grandpa had a envoy with an inline 6 and that would get up and go, i believe it was @290 hp. Id like to see that in the taco.